Schrödinger’s Cat: Raiders of the Lost Quark

Have you heard the one about Schrödinger’s Cat? Well of course you have!

The idea of Schrödinger’s Cat: Raiders of the Lost Quark , is a totally unique take on a concept that almost everyone knows. From physics at school to the Big Bang Theory, Schrödinger’s Cat is a staple of science. Using that theme and adding gameplay mechanics around other physics based topics seems refreshing, yet familiar. Head of Italic Pig, Kevin Beimers, explained that it’s not intended as an educational game but it certainly felt at times that I was back in the classroom. But don’t worry, I was having a lot of fun whilst doing it.

The story is fun, quirky and exciting, based at the Atomic Zoo located on the top of an Atom… can you tell that it gets really sciency? The only hero who can save the day is, of course, Schrödinger’s Cat. The core gameplay mechanics focus around Quarks. Quarks are little creatures that you can gather throughout your journey and are key to tackling many of the game’s platforming puzzles. Four different colours and designs separate them, and you will be able to tell straight away what ones you have following you. There are up, down, left and right quarks that all have different attributes. The up quarks can help to get to those hard to reach places while the down quarks can smash through delicate flooring. The right quarks will give you protection against various dangers and finally the left quarks can build temporary platforms.

Having 3 quarks means that you can utilise them, but they’re not limited to the same type. Want to get on a moving platform? Well then you need some up and left ones. Want to throw a bomb? Well then you will need some lift, some protection and some destruction (up, down and right). Still with me?

No? Well we managed to catch up with the game’s creator, Kevin Boilers, so that he could run us through the game.

It can all sound very confusing but, thankfully, there are instructions and the game will give you a guide for each new ability you unlock. I am still dizzy in the head from all the thinking, but I like to think that it makes me smarter in the long run!

Graphically the game looks exactly how you would want it to. Considering that it was built by a small team, you would have thought that a much larger team would have taken it on. Though I am not used to playing on the PC, the controls were intuitive and it was easy to move Schrödinger’s Cat around. I would have liked to have been able to pay it with a controller, but apparently console versions are on the horizon, so I may get my wish.

Schrödinger’s Cat won best platformer at EGX this year, and it was quite clear why. Combining great controls with a clever combo mechanic meant that getting up that ledge is so much more rewarding than the classic double jump. It’s enough to make me rub my gaming achievement right in my old physic teacher’s face, take that Mr. Green!

H0NEYL00PS

Genuinely loving this game right now. The last platform game I was this crazy about was Earthworm Jim – shame it’s taken 10 years for someone to make another platformer as awesome, if not better.

H0NEYL00PS

Genuinely loving this game right now. The last platform game I was this crazy about was Earthworm Jim – shame it’s taken 10 years for someone to make another platformer as awesome, if not better.

GrapesInASalad

Genuinely loving this game right now. The last platform game I was this crazy about was Earthworm Jim – shame it’s taken 10 years for someone to make another platformer as awesome, if not better.